Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-12
A Reward of Merit.

"A FHcWafO Oh MeT1ts
T.
From the New York Sun.
''You shall never marry that girl with my con-
sent. The moment you wed her, you are no more
my son. Take your choice, sirrah. Either give
me your word OF honor to break OH altogether
with that pauper's brat, or leave my house for
eVer-and-go the devil fer an ungrateful idiot, sir
You can give me your answer tomorrow morn
ing. Good morning."
"Good morning, Governor" said Hildebert
Ruffin,
Hildebert was not industrious, but he was calm.
H.
be his Wife. She was the most beautiful girl in
the annexed district, and in happier days had
loved her No wonder Hildy Ruffin worsR6iped
her. But old Col. Stumek lost all his money
In the famous corner in American Swiss cheese.
Island City. He prided himself on his wealth. He
gave the cold shoulder to the Stumeks in the time
Of their misfortune. 'spondulicks," he would
often say to Hlldy, always catch spondulicks"
Lafayette Rufnn was not always choice in his
language, but he was mighty well fxed and so, as
his used to say very convenient man to have in
Hildy Ruf1in was a noble fellow at bottom. but
ne ha0 no uncOnQueraDle aversion to lOaflng; and
few young men had a handsomer allowance than
he.
'sBut, darling, 1 will never wreck your pros-
poets, said Calinthia, looking into her lovers
eyes with glance full OF the pure fire of true
M aection yet darkened by the unuttera-
brightest MONDAY of young love clouded with the
sorrOws or this workaday world.
wreck nothing" was the passionate reDly 81
shall marry my CAL and the old man can 90 to
thunder-blaSt him."
In moments OF strong excitement Hildebert
Ruf1ln'S language was Illuminated
HUSH, huSh, dearest Hily. We must be calm
Never forget that he is your-our-fatherS"
nas gos a the sas the
make a living? oh, II had only studied at col.
lege-but oh, dear, fear I'm absolutely good for
nothing" e ~
Then you might try the civil service examina-
tons suggested Calinthia, softly.
d., ,lne Eve very thing. Cal you have great head.
see you once. I'm sure he'd fan I'm love with You.
You know he has refused to meet you since your
fathers losses"
"POOr papa!r
'But a husband is better, Ell. Cals Well. to.
m nor s morning ! am going to be dislnhertted.
with that young hOskins tonight, even II he is
your cousin and your mother is along.n
Don't be silly, Hid. And don't you be any more
DID he kiss her at parting, do you ask Gentle
reader, that Is none Of your business.
When old Mr.. Ruffin and his wife took their seats
at the AgOra theater that night the house was
were ladies accompanied In some cases by gentle.
men, in all cases By hatS-hatS OF ali shapeS and
OF an monst.ous sizes-vast, impenetrable bull
spectator could not shoot.
Mrs: Rufhn always wore neat cap at the thea.
ter. Her husband was fond Of the theater. In
person, though not In pocket, he was very short.
he thought box too OstentatiOus for plain La
fayette Ruffin. He always made his wife take of
show" he would say, s.that there is one woman
who is willing to let the folks behind her GET a
sgulnt at the stage without twisting their necks
"
y can't see damned thing" whispered Mr..
RuInh WIN unnecessary vehemence TO his wife
ne spoke the truth. Ten solid tiers OF high hats
ten rows OF SOLID towers OF hats ten stands full OF
vast umbrella-hats rose and wagged between
Lafayette Ruffin and the stage lie was ike an
ant which should try to see over grove OF toad
stools. But just three seats to the right in the
tler Iront OF the RuffnS sat young girl of per-
haps twenty summers. young man and elderly
lady were with her. Mr.. Ruflin couldn't see the
anu SO ne looked at the backs OF the people.
HIS eye rested with evident satisfaction on this
She was beautiful, and she had no hat on.
"1natS Callle Stumek." murmured Mrs Ruffin
goose. Mr.. Rufin, and don't care Din who hears s
me- ,e ana d ,cH speak TO her just as soon as the
''Don.t get excited, old lady She's the oniy SEN
s SID giri IN the house Poor little Callie! How
Somebody cutting out Hildy? S'pose IIi have tn
cut him out myself Tomorrow. Pity She hasn't
got any money, Amt iten
"Don't you be a fool, Mr.. Ruf1in. That's only
her cousin, and money won't buy everything"
1T won't buy seats where you can see the stage
IN TINS tneater, gruInbled the old man not un-
pleasantly. But ne stayed through the perform
ance, and ne watched Calinthia Stumek. And
Mrs kumn watched him. or course she was on
the side OF Hfldy and Cal ~ w
'You are not half so pig-headed as you think
you are " she said to her esteemed contemporary.
VI
DEAREST DARLING CAL: You sly little fox. you !
HOW nave YOU managed to make conquest OF the
governor! he saw You at the theater last night
ana mother says you are perfectly solid ANYHOW:
tne Oh DOy was soft as butter to me this mOrpinr
anu oidhC say word about the disinherftinS
business. Mothern be up to see you this p. NE
Glory 10 COD! Whoop! Good-by till then. nv
o"inns' II. R."
al the theater. 900 "s